Which is not to say that I didn't have my reservations going into the night - mostly because the show was at the Library, a venue not necessarily known for its superior acoustics.

(The club's somewhat grimy atmosphere is fine by me - in fact, I kind of miss the extra layers of dirt and graffiti that used to coat the place in its Cattle Club days. But, then again, clean bathrooms are always a plus. I guess it all balances out in the end.)

Also, there were two opening bands, which is usually fine and all - but seriously, how long did it take the second band to set up? Forever, that's how long, and then it took !!! another forever to set up before its headlining performance.

Those quibbles aside, once !!! started, it was nothing but Dance Party U.S.A.

As the band herked and jerked and sweated its way through songs such as "Pardon My Freedom," "Must Be the Moon" and "Heart of Hearts," much of the crowd danced along. My friends and I danced the entire 45 minute-plus set and I've now decided that my new workout is going to be an hourlong iPod dance-a-thon. I'm working on the playlist now and you can bet your sweet bottom dollar that it's going to be chockfull of !!!

It's good to see people not afraid to move at a rock show - I know I'm too often guilty of the stone-faced, arms-crossed stance and it felt good to shake that off.

Oh, and for the record, the Library's sound? Totally muddy. But !!! managed to break its way through the sonic goo with a healthy, kinetic dose of attitude and spastic energy.

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